Echinopsis plant named ‘Flambeau’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Echinopsis  cultivar named ‘Flambeau’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive magenta and orange flowers in a triple whorl produced over a 6 to 7 month period. Plants are fast growing and very free offsetting, resulting in both improved propagation rates and improved finished plant production times.  Echinopsis  is an ornamental cactus, useful as an indoor ornamental plant and outdoors in warm climates.

Latin name of the genus and species: Echinopsis hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘FLAMBEAU’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Echinopsis ‘Flambeau’, was found by the inventor,Renee O'Connell, as the result of a crossing made April 2013 as part ofa planned breeding program. The seed parent variety is the unpatentedproprietary variety referred to as Echinopsis hybrida ‘RQ 17’, a memberof the Chamaelobivia group of Echnopsis. The pollen parent is theunpatented proprietary variety Echinopsis hybrida ‘KK 03’, also a memberof the Chamaelobivia group. Echinopsis ‘Flambeau’ was selected by theinventor, Renee O Connell, in May of 2014 from a group of seedlingsresulting from the 2013 crossing, at a commercial greenhouse in Vista.Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Flambeau’ was first performedin Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse, by vegetative offsets,known as “peanuts” in May of 2014. ‘Flambeau’ has since producedmultiple generations and has shown that the unique features of thiscultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘FLAMBEAU’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘FLAMBEAU’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘FLAMBEAU’ as a new and distinct Echinopsiscultivar:

-   -   1. ‘Flambeau’ is very freely offsetting, producing 100 to over        150 offsets in a 1 gallon pot.    -   2. ‘Flambeau’ is very floriferous, often producing over 150        flowers a season when grown in a 1 gallon pot.    -   3. ‘Flambeau’ flowers for a 6-7 month span whereas comparable        Echinopsis hybrids do not.    -   4. During the 6-7 month span of flowering, the new variety also        displays 2 or more heavy “flushes” of flowers; at times there        may be 35 to 40 flowers open at the same time when grown in a 1        gallon pot.    -   5. Distinctive flower; magenta petals, with a reddish-orange        underside, surrounded by decorative sepals colored magenta and        orange.    -   5. Flowers typically 2 inches in diameter, occurring in multiple        whorls, giving the appearance of a double flower.    -   6. ‘Flambeau’ is fast growing, forming an offsetting plant ready        for sale in a 9 cm pot within 4-5 months from a single “peanut”.        Two full sized 9 cm plants will fill a 1 gallon pot in 2 months        from transplant, ready for sale.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FLAMBEAU’ are similar to plants of the seedparent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of thenew cultivar ‘FLAMBEAU’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. ‘Flambeau’ produces flowers with underside of petals a        contrasting color, whereas ‘RQ 17’ produces flowers of one        color.    -   2. ‘Flambeau’ produces thicker apical spines than Echinopsis        hybrid ‘RQ 17’.    -   3. ‘Flambeau’ is more floriferous than Echinopsis hybrid ‘RQ        17’.    -   4. ‘Flambeau’ produces more offsets than Echinopsis hybrid ‘RQ        17’.    -   5. The flowers of ‘Flambeau’, have more petals per flower, than        those of Echinopsis hybrid ‘RQ 17’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FLAMBEAU’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants ofthe new cultivar ‘FLAMBEAU’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. ‘Flambeau’ has larger flowers than Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’.    -   2. ‘Flambeau’ is more resistant to the pathogen Bipolaris        cactivora (Helminthosporium cactivorum) than is Echinopsis        hybrid ‘KK 03’    -   3. The flowers of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’, due to the extra        petals per flower, are more double-flowered than those of        Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’.    -   4. The flowers of the Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ have at least        two colors, whereas the flowers of the Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’        are one color.    -   5. The flowers of the ‘Flambeau’ can occur in several, very        heavy flushes of flowers over a long span of flowering of 6-7        months, whereas the flowers of the Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’        occur in less heavy flushes, and the flowering span is only 3        months.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FLAMBEAU’ are comparable to the unpatented,commercial variety Echinopsis ‘Fire Chief’. The two Echinopsis varietiesare similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the newvariety ‘FLAMBEAU’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ produces flowers with at least        two colors, whereas those of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Fire Chief’ are        a monotone orange.    -   2. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ produces many more offsets than        does Echinopsis hybrid ‘Fire Chief’, aiding in faster production        of plants for commercial sales.    -   3. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ grows faster than does        Echinopsis hybrid ‘Fire Chief’, accelerating production times in        the commercial nursery.    -   4. The flower size of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ is larger        than the flower size of Echinopsis ‘Fire Chief’    -   5. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ exhibits several heavy flushes        of flowers over a 6 to 7 month flowering span, whereas        Echinopsis hybrid ‘Fire Chief’ does not produce these flower        flushes, and the flowering span is only 1-2 months.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FLAMBEAU’ can also be comparable to theunpatented commercial variety Echinopsis ‘Westfield Alba’. The twoEchinopsis varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;however, the new variety ‘FLAMBEAU’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ produces much larger “peanuts”        (vegetative offsets) than does Echinopsis ‘Westfield Alba’,        aiding in producing a saleable plant faster.    -   2. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ grows at a faster rate than does        Echinopsis hybrid ‘Westfield Alba’, thereby enhancing production        and reducing production time.    -   3. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ grows with a more upright        morphology, unlike the prostrate, pendulous habit of Echinopsis        hybrid ‘Westfield Alba’.    -   4. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ produces flowers with at least 2        colors, whereas Echinopsis hybrid ‘Westfield Alba’ has monotone        white flowers.    -   5. The flowers of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ are much larger        than those of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Westfield Alba’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate in full color typical of plantsof Echinopsis ‘Flambeau’ grown in a greenhouse in Vista, Calif. Age ofthe plant photographed is approximately 5 months from a vegetativeoffset, “peanut”. The photographs were taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques. All photographs provided by the breeder.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color in close-up of the flower of Echinopsishybrid ‘Flambeau’, grown in a greenhouse (approximately 3000 to 4000foot candles) in Vista, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color Echinopsis hybrid ‘Flambeau’ in 1gallon pot with spent flowers.

FIG. 3 illustrates in full color the plant morphology of Echinopsishybrid ‘Flambeau’

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Flambeau’ plants in a commercial shadehousein Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 34° F. to 90° F. night andday. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemicaltreatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions wereapproximately 2500-4000 foot candles of light. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Echinopsis hybrida ‘FLAMBEAU’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Vegetative offsets known as    “peanuts”.-   Time to initiate roots: About 3 weeks at approximately 22° to 26° C.-   Root description: Densely fibrous.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 4 months.-   Container size of the plant described: 9 cm.-   General plant description: Columnar, clump forming small cactus.-   Growth habit: Upright, becoming prostrate with maturity. Abundant    offsets forming clumps from base.-   Plant height: Approximately 9 to 17 cm.-   Quantity of offsets: 2 to 10 present on a 4 inch pot, at the end of    the growing season, in September.-   Stem description:    -   -   Diameter.—3.5 to 4.0 cm.        -   Length.—12 to 17 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138B and 138C.-   Areole:    -   -   Spacing.—Approximately 4 mm apart on rib.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 500 per mature stem.-   Spine/thorn description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Spines radially arranged. Average 10 ribs of            spines vertically linear, nearly straight, very minor            spiral. Ribs spaced approximately 10 to 15 mm apart. No            prominent central spine. Radial spines approximately 4 mm,            colored near Greyed-Yellow 161D. Moderate quantity of dense            trichomes approximately 1 mm colored near Greyed-Yellow            161C.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Approximately Spring until Fall in    Southern California. Flowers constantly present, with 2 or more    flushes of abundant flowering occurring.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Open funnel form. Reduced tube length    open, radial flower of multiple whorls.-   Flower longevity on plant: 1 to 2 days.-   Quantity of flowers: 4 inch pot has approximately 5 to 15 flowers    and buds. A mature plant in a 1 gallon pot can have 35 to 40 flowers    during peak flowering.-   Individual flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—8 cm.        -   Length.—4 cm.        -   Flower tube length.—2.5 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—1.7 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—0.9 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—Triple whorl.        -   Length.—Average range 2.5 to 3.5 cm.        -   Width.—0.7 cm.        -   Quantity.—Typically 25 to 35.        -   Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces.        -   Appearance.—Very shiny upper surface, moderately shiny lower            surface.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Tip shape.—Mucronate.-   Color:    -   -   Petals.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Red 53D, but            much brighter. Lower surface: Near RHS Red 53B. Fully            opened: Upper surface: Between Red 46C and Red-Purple N57A,            but much brighter. Faint streaking near Orange-Red 32A.            Lower Surface: Brighter than RHS Red 53C, streaked            Orange-Red 32D. Fading: Upper Surface: Near Red 53D, streaks            of Orange-Red 33C. Lower Surface: Near Red 53D, streaks of            Orange-Red 33C.-   Flower tube:    -   -   Inner surface.—Near RHS Red 47B.        -   Outer surface.—Near RHS Orange-White 159A.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Length.—Approximately 7 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 cm        -   Color.—Near RHS Orange-Red 32D.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—2.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Orange N170D.        -   Orientation.—Approximately 15 to 45° from stem.        -   Strength.—Very strong.        -   Texture.—Villous, moderately dense.-   Sepals:    -   -   Shape.—Quantity per flower: Average 10.        -   Length.—Approximately shortest: Average 1.8 cm longest: 3.9            cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Apex.—Acute to Cuspidate.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and shiny all surfaces.        -   Color, upper surface.—Near Orange 26B, flushed and streaked            Red 53B.        -   Color lower surfaces.—Near RHS Orange 26A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Average range 150 to 250.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.9 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Red 53A.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Length.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Orange-White 159C.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS Yellow-White 158C. Quantity:            Moderate.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 4.0 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 3.0 cm. Color: Near RHS            Orange-Red 31C, base of style near Yellow-Green 153C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: 2 parted, each section folded inward. Size: 5            mm long, 5 mm wide. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.        -   Ovary.—Length: 9 mm. Shape: Narrow oblong. Texture:            Sericeous, sticky. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Seed pods ovate, average range 1.3 to 1.9 cm in    length, about 5 mm in diameter. Colored near Grey-brown N199A,    densely sericeous, hairs near White 155A. Low to moderate seed    production, seeds colored near Greyed-Orange 177C.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 10 and above.-   Disease/pest resistance: More resistant to the pathogen Bipolaris    cactivora (Helminthosporium cactivorum) Neither resistance nor    susceptibility to other pathogens or pests of Echinopsis observed.-   Drought tolerance: Extreme tolerance for drought.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Echinopsis plantnamed ‘FLAMBEAU’ as herein illustrated and described.